Family is secret of Plymouth shop’s success

The Brigidas family opened a family store together as young adults, and has maintained a successful business through years of economic ups and downs and changes in lifestyles and conveniences that have pushed many downtown stores into suburban shopping malls or out of business altogether. Pictured: Laura Brigida (left), Renee Ferazzi (rust color jacket), Joyce Whiting (black top behind), Marie Whiting (red top behind), Jayne Siever (right) and Peter Brigida (far right).
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

The Brigida family has stayed put, and is now celebrating the 35th anniversary of its store, Pilgrim’s Progress Clothing, in Plymouth’s downtown.
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

Its success is as much about strength from family as it is business savvy.
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

Sisters Jayne Siever, Marie Whiting, and Joyce Whiting (left), along with their mother, Laura, run the women’s clothing department at the Court Street store, while brother Peter, named after his father, handles the men’s department.
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

Carol Goodwin, the only sibling to move from the Plymouth area, also contributes, as the women’s shoe buyer. Each shares ownership in the business.
Next

Wesley Ennis

The story of the family store began in 1977, when Jayne, taking a summer job at Pilgrim’s Progress in Plymouth’s downtown, learned that its owner, Cheryl Souza, was selling the business. Jayne saw the perfect opportunity for the family to go into business together. They agreed. Here, Main Street in 1975.
Next

Pilgrimâs Progress Clothing

Laura remortgaged the family home to buy the business in 1977 to purchase the large brick building that houses the store a year later. Jayne was able to use the store launch as an internship to finish her college degree. Here, the Pilgrim's Progress logo in the 1970s.
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

Marie (left) and Joyce (right) enthusiastically jumped on board, working in the store. A communications major, Marie was a natural fit as the family’s representative at local Chamber of Commerce meetings. Joyce, with a master’s degree in business administration, handled the books.
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

“It was very intimidating,” said Jayne of the store’s early years. “My mother had mortgaged the house. For us, it seemed a huge commitment.”
Next

Debee Tlumacki for the Boston Globe

Laura conceded it was a big undertaking for her and her family, “but I never doubted that my children would make it a success.”
Next